The final phase of Torbay Council’s £16.5 million Western Corridor project is due to start on site on Monday 11th March 2019.
The £700,000 scheme at the Windy Corner junction between Paignton and Brixham will improve traffic flow and reduce queueing at peak times.
These improvements will provide an additional approach lane for traffic heading towards Paignton, created by constructing a new lane towards Brixham, which uses a short section of Bascombe Road.
This scheme, along with the works currently taking place on Brixham Road by Sainsbury’s, are scheduled to be completed in time for the main 2019 summer period.
Mayor of Torbay, Gordon Oliver, said: “This is a major road improvement which is beneficial to business for the whole of Torbay specifically needed to assist the growth of business in Brixham, including the fishing industry, and the surrounding area. This scheme is very welcome.”
Cllr Robert Excell, Executive Lead for Community Services said ‘The Windy Corner junction has long been a cause of frustration for motorists, especially during busy periods, and traffic queues have often been significant. This junction is a vital link between Paignton and Brixham and the rest of the Bay and when completed this will make a big difference to travelling times.
“The Local Plan, Local Transport Plan and Brixham Neighbourhood Plan all recognise the importance of finding a solution at this junction and we have worked with the community to provide a solution that appreciates the unique natural environment and protects the common land. Inevitably the implementation of a scheme in such a congested location will cause some disruption to motorists at times, but we will make every effort to keep delays to a minimum and look forward to the significant improvements in traffic flow once the works are complete.
“The scheme is part of the Torbay Western Corridor Scheme to provide capacity improvements to the A3022 West of Paignton, and open up the area for businesses and residents. We have worked closely with the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership to submit the successful bid, and the funding recognises the strategic importance of the scheme.”
The Western Corridor Project, which has been made up of improvements to five sections of the Torbay Ring Road between Churscombe Cross (Marldon) and Windy Corner, is substantially funded by £8.25 million from the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership’s Growth Deal. This is a considerable investment into the infrastructure of this area of Torbay, which is already seeing large residential and commercial growth.
Minister for Local Growth, Jake Berry, said: “The Government is committed to boosting economic growth across the whole of the UK and building a Britain fit for the future.
“These improvements are part of the wider Torbay Western Corridor improvements, backed by £8.25million from the Local Growth Fund to help this area reach its full potential.
“When completed, local people will experience improved traffic flows and quicker journey times and businesses will see the benefit in an area already experiencing residential and commercial growth.”
Steve Hindley CBE DL, Chair of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership said: “Windy Corner is the final part of the Western Corridor scheme – which has received £8.25m from the LEP’s Growth Deal with Government as one of the LEP’s portfolio of strategic infrastructure projects that will help to generate growth throughout the whole of Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay.”
“Torbay has much potential for economic development, and this scheme will help to open up the route to enable businesses to thrive in the area, alongside other new developments also partly funded by the LEP, including EPIC and the Hi-Tech Centre at South Devon College. Businesses in Torbay are already telling us that our schemes are making a difference and that confidence in the area’s economy is growing.”
To see a video and map of the new road layout visit: https://www.torbay.gov.uk/council/policies/transport/local-transport-board/western-corridor/
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